Woodhaven residents demand landmark status for Neir’s Tavern, the oldest restaurant in the U.S.

Concerned Woodhaven residents will rally with elected officials, civic leaders and historians next month to have a historic neighborhood watering hole declared a city landmark.

Beginning at 2 p.m. on May 7, residents will hold a four-hour peaceful protest at Neir’s Tavern, located at the corner of 78th Street and 88th Avenue, calling upon the NYC Landmark Preservation Commission to grant the site landmark status. Many residents believe the tavern is a fixture within both the community and American pop and restaurant culture.

More than 100 people have already committed to attending the Historic Districts Council protest clad in suspenders to symbolize their support of the effort.

Organizers say that the tavern is decades overdue for landmark status, which is needed to protect it from future development. Neir’s Tavern remains the oldest restaurant in the States still operating from its original location, which was built in 1829.

The historic tavern was also featured in a number of scenes from the 1990s film “Goodfellas” and 2011’s “Tower Heist,” along with being the place where actress Mae West first got her start in the 1930s.

Queens Borough President Melinda Katz, Councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley, state Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, and Assemblyman Mike Miller have all been invited to attend the May 7 rally.